Sunday, 5 April 2020

Weekly stash challenge - week one

In these very strange and difficult times, we crafters are luckier than most while being socially isolated.  We have our hobby to occupy our time.  But sometimes, it's not that easy to come up with ideas, and we have thought of something that might help..  Until we can start our regular monthly classes again, we could have a weekly stash challenge.

It isn't compulsory to take part - but this is how it will work.

Every Sunday night I will be posting a sketch here for you to try - and we want to see the cards you make using it.  I will ask that you send a picture to me, either by phone, facebook or to the busybees email account and I will upload it here and on our pinterest page.  At the end of the social isolation period, you can either keep your cards and use them through the year, or you can donate them to a charity.  Your choice...

Anyway - before we start, and  for this first time, I thought it might be helpful to explain how to use a sketch as a basis for a card.  It's simply a layout - and you can use it to kickstart your imagination.

Begin by gathering together some bits and pieces from your stash.  Die cuts, paper pads, some free kits from magazines, ribbons, etc.  Spread them all out on the table, and select some items to use.




And then you will be ready to begin.

For this first week, we chose a sketch that had already been put into a challenge on sundaystamps.blogspot.com.   There are lots of challenge blogs, so if you enjoy doing this you might want to go to pinterest, or just google challenge blogs and check them out.



















To get you started, Shirley and I have put together some cards so you can see the end result of using a sketch.

Shirley chose to use one piece of fancy patterned paper (from a Lynda Chapman pad), some toning and mirri card, a die cut butterfly and some pearls.

The patterned paper was matted onto some mirri card and then placed onto the card blank (5 x 7 inches) on the left hand side.  The toning card was also matted onto mirri card, and then stuck onto the centre of the card, towards the right hand side, just overlapping the patterned paper.  The die cut butterfly was stuck in the centre of the  topper and pearls applied to the body.  

Finally, a sentiment was put onto the card in the bottom right hand corner.


For my first card, I used a piece of A4 card cut down to make a 5 x 7 card.  I picked a piece of brightly coloured stripe and dark pink paper for my layers, some gold and white twine, and a topper from an easter kit.  I also chose a sentiment from a stamp set free with a magazine.

I cut the mat and layers from the card and paper roughly in line with the shape shown on the sketch, and stuck it all down.

I quite like the white space, but you can make your rectangles any size you like.

For my second card, I decided to use some blue card cut to size for the card base and make the rectangles bigger .I also used some stamps and free papers from a magazine gift, and some ribbon from my stash.

I put them in the same layout as the sketch, but because they filled more space on the card it looks completely different.   

I stamped the images onto white card and coloured them using watercolour pencils.  I used some blue ribbon from my stash to wrap around the thin rectangle instead of the twine, and onto a frame diecut that I had  in my scrap box, I stamped the sentiment.

Finally, I put the fussy cut doghouse and dog onto the frame diecut, and as a last touch, used some nuvo drops to put in the corners of the backing paper.






So there you are, 3 very different cards from one layout.

Why not have a go and see how you get on?  Remember, you can use as many or as few items as you want, they can be anything you want them to be,as long as they are placed in line with the sketch.

Have fun!

Jackie x



Monday, 16 March 2020

March Class cancelled

Very sadly, in light of the advice today from the government regarding the Corona virus, we have decided to cancel the March Busy Bees card class. 

A decision will be made about the April class nearer the time. 

Stay safe everyone! 

Saturday, 15 February 2020

February

Assuming we don't all get blown away by the fierce storms, in February Jackie will be leading the class and we will be making these 2 cards!

  For our  first card,  there will be a choice of colour strips - so if you don't like the autumnal colours, you can make a pastel card instead!

It is surprisingly easy to make this background and a perfect way to use up those scraps of card that we all keep.  All that is needed for this card is the normal craft kit, some glue and some double sided tape.  All materials will be provided.



For our second card, we are making a very simple decoupaged card - and these layers are super easy to cut out, so fine for those with dexterity issues, or who just don't like fussy cutting... 

For this one, just the normal craft kit and some small scissors, plus some thin foam pads are needed - but some will be available if you don't have any.


Thursday, 23 January 2020

We are doing 2 cards in January, in a class led by Shirley.  All materials will be provided, so you just need to bring your normal kit.


Friday, 10 January 2020

New Year....

All good plans, as they say.  Apologies that the blog hasn't been updated with the new dates before - I have been majorly behind over Christmas!  All the dates have, however, now been updated in the sidebar, and there is a sheet showing all the dates that I will upload as a pdf (if I ever work out how to do it, lol!)

Anyway, January!

We are starting the new year off on the 25th January with 2 cards in a class led by Shirley.  Pictures to follow.

You will need your normal craft kit only, as everything else will be provided for you.

Friday, 8 November 2019

November

 
The class in November will be led by Brenda and we will be making this special Christmas card.  All materials will be provided, only your basic craft kit needs to be brought with you.

Monday, 30 September 2019

October is on it's way - and we are continuing with Christmas cards



Jackie is leading the class in October, and we will be making these three cards - all very straightforward!  You will only need your usual crafty kit as any supplies will be provided.



Sunday, 28 July 2019

Taking a break... then in September we will be back!

So August will be here  very soon and we will be taking a break.

But!  We will be back in September, and we will be making these lovely cards (class led by Shirley).

As always, all materials will be provided, but you should bring with you your normal crafty kit.  See you in September!



Sunday, 23 June 2019

27th July 2019 - Summer School

We are back at the Catholic Church Hall in Collier Row for Summer School, and as previously, we will be there from 10 am to 4 pm.  So you will need to bring some lunch with you!  Some cold drinks and the normal tea and coffee and biscuits will be provided, but if you want anything specific, please bring it.

All materials will be provided - you just need to bring your normal crafty kit with you.  If you want to add other embellishments to your card, please feel free to bring whatever you need.

We will be doing the following projects over the course of the day -

Brenda

There is a choice of 2 - either a hand crafted shoe, OR a card.  If you want to do the shoe, and haven't already been added to the list, you must let Brenda know by FRIDAY 19TH JULY 2019 at the latest.  If you do not, there will not be a kit for you.



 Jackie 

There are 2 cards - one very straightforward man's card, and a stamped and paper pieced floral birthday card.



Shirley

Last, but not least, there will be a beautiful card using stamps and watercolour paints - a variety of background colours will be available.


There will also be a lovely card using dies and computer generated image.



Thursday, 20 June 2019

June 2019

 We have 2 cards this month, in a class led by Jackie.  All materials will be provided, and all you need to bring is your normal crafty essentials, such as scissors, glue and foam pads.

Don't forget - we will be in the Gidea Park hall this month, as our usual hall is unavailable.

The first will be a simple card made using brusho paints to create a background, overstamped with a floral stamp and mounted onto the card base in panels.


The second is a decoupage easel card, made using a sheet from Debbi Moore.